Simple controller for a power operated tape measure

ABSTRACT

A power operated tape measure enables measuring tape extension through a drive mechanism, as well as measuring tape retraction. A tape cartridge assembly including an annular reel, a measuring tape wound onto the reel, as well as a spring coupled with the reel, and is positioned within a housing shell of the tape measure. A drive mechanism accomplishes tape extension out of the housing shell, and optionally, tape retraction into the housing shell by engaging with a surface of the measuring tape. A primary actuator initiates input on one or more switches that selectively control operation of the drive mechanism, and includes a lever arm for a user to make selections regarding tape extension and retraction. A retraction actuator is moveable by a user to cause the drive mechanism to become disengaged from the surface of the tape, whereby spring powered retraction of the tape is permitted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/277,684, filed Mar. 28, 2006, and entitled “SIMPLE CONTROLLER FOR APOWER OPERATED TAPE MEASURE”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to retractable tape measurementdevices. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tapemeasure requiring a simple range of user inputs to accomplish tapeextension and retraction.

Tape measurement devices of the type employing a tape retractionfeature, also referred to as “tape measures”, generally have a housingformed by opposed sidewalls and with an aperture to allow an elongatedtape or “blade” having measurement indicia to extend out of and retractinto the housing as needed. The tape is typically wound on a reel in acoil rolled manner with the reel being rotatably mounted within thehousing between the sidewalls. A first end of the tape may be attachedto the reel and second free end of the tape typically has a stop or hookto prevent the second end from entering the housing. A retracting means,such as a recoil spring, is coupled with the reel to rotate the reel ina direction to wind the tape onto the reel and retract the tape into thehousing. Alternatively, if a stationary reel is used to guide winding ofthe tape, the retracting means may be directly attached to the tape. Auser can pull on the stop against the force of the retracting means toextend the tape out of the housing for making a measurement.

Tape measures with retraction features have evolved to include poweroperated tape extension as a convenience to users. Some of these poweroperated tape measures include a drive mechanism for the tape thatcouples a motor with a gear or roller system that engages a bottom oroutwardly exposed surface of the tape while the tape is wound on thereel. The motor may then drive the unwinding of the tape from the reelthrough the gear/roller system so that the tape extends out of thehousing a selected amount. Motorized tape retraction involves drivingthe tape in the opposite direction from extension to rewind the tapeonto the reel. Power operated tape extension is also beneficial when auser does not have two free hands to allow for holding of the tapemeasure housing in one hand and pulling the tape to a desired lengthwith the other hand.

It would be desirous to improve the ease of operation for users of poweroperated tape measures, while providing a reliable design. Some priorart powered tape measures employ extension and/or retraction mechanismsthat are complex or cumbersome to operate single handedly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tape measure of the present invention provides for power operated tapeextension, and optionally, power operated tape retraction into a tapemeasure housing. Beneficially, tape extension and retraction featuresmay be controlled by input on an actuator in simple, opposed motions.

In one aspect, the tape measure has a housing shell within which ispositioned a tape cartridge assembly. The tape cartridge assemblyincludes an annular reel with a tape having a bottom surface woundthereon and being under the influence of a spring for biasing the tapeinto a wound position on the reel. Extension of the tape out of thehousing shell is accomplished by a drive mechanism that engages with thebottom surface of the tape and an associated power source electricallycoupled with the drive mechanism. One or more switches control powerflow between the power source and the drive mechanism to enable tapeextension, and optionally, tape retraction into the housing shell. Aprimary actuator operably mounted within the housing shell presents abody overlying a portion of the tape cartridge and an arm extending fromthe periphery of the body through an opening in the housing shell. Thearm is moveable in opposed forward and backward directions to cause theactuator to move and selectively initiate input on the one or moreswitches regulating drive mechanism activity. Movement of the arm to aforward position enables the drive mechanism to cause tape extension.Likewise, movement of the arm to a rearward position allows for taperetraction. Additionally, a retraction actuator is moveable by a user tocause the drive mechanism to become disengaged from the surface of thetape, whereby spring powered retraction of the tape is permitted.

In another aspect, the one or more switches include a first switchinterconnected with the actuator body by a resilient member transferringmotion of the actuator into movement of the first switch between anactivated position, when the actuator arm is in the forward position,and a deactivated position, when the actuator arm is in a middle or restposition between the forward and rearward positions. The drive mechanismalso includes a frame for supporting a drive wheel. The frame ispivotably coupled with the housing and is biased in a direction thaturges the drive wheel into engagement with the tape bottom surface. Inthis way, movement of the arm to the rearward position causes a back endof the actuator to apply a force on the frame that overcomes the biasingon the frame and moves the drive wheel out of engagement with the bottomsurface of the tape so that a spring load on the reel retracts the tapeback into the housing shell.

Both a first switch and a second switch are provided in another aspectof the invention for coupling with the drive mechanism. The tape measuremay therefore enable both power operated tape extension and retractionby the first switch activating drive mechanism operation in a forwarddirection corresponding with the actuator arm being in the forwardposition and the second switch activating drive mechanism operation in arearward direction corresponding with the actuator arm being in a firstrearward position. The drive mechanism includes a frame, with a drivewheel rotatable mounted thereon that is pivotably mounted within thehousing shell and biased in a direction that urges the drive wheel intoengagement with the tape bottom surface. Thus, retraction of the tapeinto the housing under the influence of a spring load on the reel—asopposed to being through power operated tape retraction—may be hadthrough movement of the arm to a second rearward position behind thefirst rearward position, where a back end of the actuator applies aforce on the frame that pivots the frame to move the drive wheel alongan arcuate path away from the tape bottom surface.

In yet another aspect of the invention, first and second switches areseparated by the actuator. The switches are positioned to enable bothpower operated tape extension and retraction as the result of contactwith the actuator when it is moved to a forward position or a rearwardposition respectively. A separate mechanical tape retraction actuator isprovided opposite the actuator for controlling power operation, suchthat a portion of the retraction actuator is accessible through anopening in the bottom of the housing to permit retraction of the tapeinto the housing under the influence of a spring load on the reel.Movement of the retraction actuator in a rearward direction pivots thedrive wheel out of abutting contact with the bottom surface of the tape,thereby permitting the recoil spring to act upon the reel and withdrawthe tape.

The tape measure may also be provided with a blade wiper mechanism toprevent the accumulation of contaminants on the bottom surface of thetape that may interfere with the ability of the drive mechanism to drivethe tape out of or into the housing. Similarly, a guide collar and/orrolling blade support may be provided at the opening in the housingwhere the tape extends therethrough to support the extension of the tapeduring use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like referencenumerals are used to indicate like elements in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a tape measure ofthe present invention, partially in section, with the actuator forcontrolling tape extension and retraction in a rest position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tape measure of FIG. 1, withthe actuator in a forward position for activating powered tapeextension;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tape measure of FIG. 1, withthe actuator in a rearward position for activating spring operated taperetraction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the tapemeasure of FIG. 3, with various components removed to show the drivemechanism disengaged from the tape;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a tapemeasure of the present invention, partially in section, includingswitches for initiating powered tape extension and powered taperetraction and with the actuator for controlling tape extension andretraction in a rest position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the tape measure of FIG. 5, withthe actuator in a forward position for activating powered tapeextension;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the tape measure of FIG. 5, withthe actuator in a first rearward position for activating powered taperetraction;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the tape measure of FIG. 5, withthe actuator in a second rearwards position for activating springoperated tape retraction;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tape measure of FIG. 5 with aportion of the housing removed to show various internal componentsthereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of yet another embodiment of a tapemeasure of the present invention, with portions of the housing cut awayfor clarity, and illustrating a drive mechanism actuator in a restposition and a manual retraction actuator in a rest position;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the tape measure of FIG. 10, withthe retraction actuator in a use position, whereby the drive wheel hasbeen removed from abutting contact with the bottom surface of the tape;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the tape measure of FIG.10, with the drive mechanism actuator in a forward position, whereby afirst switch is engaged for activating powered tape extension;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the tape measure of FIG.10, with the drive mechanism actuator in a rearward position, whereby asecond switch is engaged for activating powered tape retraction; and

FIG. 14 is fragmentary bottom perspective view of a blade wipermechanism for engaging the bottom surface of the tape with a portion ofthe housing removed to show various internal components thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1,there is illustrated an embodiment of a tape measure of the presentinvention designated by the reference numeral 10. The tape measure 10has a housing shell, or housing, 12 enclosing various components thatcontrol operation of the tape measure 10, as will be more fullyexplained below with reference to FIGS. 2-4. An exemplary shape for thehousing 12 is illustrated in FIG. 9, and may be implemented with anothertape measure 100 embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9, as well as with theembodiment of the tape measure 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

A tape cartridge assembly 14 is mounted within the housing 12 forstorage of elongate tape 16. The assembly 14 includes a cartridge cover18 that is coupled to the interior of the housing 12 and a reel 20rotatably mounted with and surrounded by the cartridge cover 18. Thecartridge cover 18 may be formed of two halves that mate in clamshellfashion. The elongate tape 16 is attached with the reel 20 on a trailingend of the tape so that it may be wound thereon for storage. Preferably,a biasing means (not shown) of the conventional type, such as a spring,is coupled with the reel 20 to urge rotation of the reel 20 within thecartridge cover 18 in a direction as to wind the tape 16 onto the reel20 and thereby retract an amount of extended tape back into the housing12. Measurement indicia are also marked along a top surface 22 of theelongate tape 16 so that an amount of the tape 16 extended out of alower opening 24 in the housing shell 12 can be used to make ameasurement of the length of an object adjacent to the tape 16. A hookor stop 26 extends downwardly from distal end 28 of the elongate tape 16to prevent retraction of the proximal end 28 into the housing 12. Aguide roller 34 may also be positioned within the housing 12 fordirecting the elongate tape 16 through the lower opening 24 into and outof the housing 12.

As seen in a neutral or rest position in FIG. 1, the elongate tape 16 ofthe tape cartridge assembly 14 moves under the influence of a drivemechanism 30, in addition to the biasing means coupled with the reel 20.The drive mechanism 30 is engagable with a bottom surface 32 of theelongate tape 16 to impart a force thereon sufficient to overcome thebiasing on the reel 20 in the opposing direction to rotate the reel 20and thereby drive the tape 16 in a longitudinal direction out of thehousing 12, as depicted in FIG. 2. Conversely, disengaging of the drivemechanism 30 from the tape bottom surface 32 allows the biasing on thereel 20 to retract the amount of the elongate tape 16 extended out ofthe housing 12 back into the housing, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thestructural components and operational schemes of the drive mechanism 30will be explained in more detail below.

An electrical circuit is formed through the electrical coupling of thedrive mechanism 30 with a power source 34 and an electrical switch 36.The power source 34 may include, for instance, a battery 37 (orbatteries) received within a battery chamber 38 positioned within thehousing 12. In this embodiment, the electrical switch 36 preferablymoves between “on” and “off” positions to regulate the flow of currentbetween the power source 34 and the drive mechanism 30. Thus, movementsof the electrical switch 36, through electrical coupling and decouplingof the drive mechanism 30 and the power source 34, selectively controlextension of the elongate tape 16 out of the housing 12. As can beobserved, electrical wiring forming a circuit between the drivemechanism 30, the power source 34 and the switch 36 has been removed inFIGS. 1-4 to provide an unobstructed view of the various components ofthe tape measure 10 within the housing 12. However, those of skill inthe art will appreciate that conventional electrical connections may bemade between the drive mechanism 30, the power source 34 and the switch36 to enable the operation of drive mechanism 30.

The drive mechanism 30 is preferably formed as a unit with a housing 39that is coupled to an interior of the housing 12 of the tape measure 10.An electric motor 40 of the drive mechanism 30 receives power from thepower source 34, as regulated by the electrical switch 36, to providethe necessary torque for driving the rotation of a drive wheel 42against the elongate tape 16 for tape extension, as seen in FIG. 2. Theoutput torque of the motor 40 reaches the drive wheel 42 through variousgears or contact rollers. To provide support when the drive wheel 42 iseither in a position of engagement with the elongate tape 16 ordisengaged and spaced from the tape 16, the drive wheel 42 is rotatablymounted to a moveable frame 44. Preferably, the frame 44 forms a post 46that is slidably received through a bracket 48 of the drive mechanismhousing 38 that also allows for a range of pivotable motion for the post46. A spring 50 seated on the bracket 48 pushes upward on a pin 52 ofthe post 46 to thereby urge the post 46 upward relative to the bracket48 and the drive wheel 42 into contact with the bottom surface 32 of theelongate tape 16. Additionally, an opening 41 is formed in the cartridgecover 18 of the tape cartridge assembly 14 to enable the drive wheel 42to move into frictional engagement with the tape bottom surface 32.

To provide for user control over the extension and retraction of theelongate tape 16, an actuator 54 is pivotably mounted within the housing12 and extends over a portion of the tape cartridge assembly 14. Throughmotion of the actuator 54, input may be initiated on the switch 36, toregulate electrical operation of the drive mechanism 30 for tapeextension, and on the post 46, to control mechanical decoupling of thedrive wheel 42 from the tape bottom surface 32 to allow the biasing onthe reel 20 to retract the amount of elongate tape 16 payed out backinto the housing 12. The actuator 54 includes a body 56 having anarcuate upper shelf 58 and at least one sidewall 60 extending downwardlyfrom the upper shelf 58. The sidewall 60 has a lower region 62 that maybe pivotably connected to the tape cartridge assembly 14 at, forexample, the axis of rotation of the reel 20. Alternatively, thepivotable connection of the sidewall 60 may be with the housing 12. Ineither case, the pivotable motion of the actuator 54 enabled through aforce input to a lever arm 64 extending from the actuator upper shelf 58moves the body 56 generally over and around a portion of the tapecartridge assembly 14. The lever arm 64 may extend radially outward fromthe pivotable attachment point of the actuator 54 and through an upperopening 66 in the housing 12. By having the axis of rotation of theactuator 54 parallel to, or coaxial with, the axis of rotation of thetape reel 20, forward and backward motion on the lever arm 64 is alignedwith the longitudinal direction of tape movement into and out of thehousing 12. Therefore, intuitively, forward motion on the lever arm 64,as depicted in FIG. 2, provides the user with control of tape extension,and rearward movement on the lever arm 64, as depicted in FIG. 3,provides the user with control of tape retraction features of the tapemeasure 10.

Coupling of the actuator 54 with the switch 36 in the present embodimentis accomplished by a resilient strap member 68. The strap 68 hasopposing first and second end regions 70, 72, each with an aperture. Theswitch 36 is coupled with the aperture of the first end region 70, and apin 74 extending outwardly from the upper shelf 58 of the actuator 54rearwardly from the lever arm 64 is placed within the aperture of thesecond end region 72. Preferably, the switch 36 is a momentary sliderswitch that is moved between an “on” position, allowing current to flowfrom the power source 34 to the motor 40 of the drive mechanism 30, andan “off” position, cutting off the flow of current to the motor 40.Because of the resilient nature of the strap 68, a certain amount ofpushing force may be applied by the strap 68 to the switch 36 through arearward movement of the lever arm 64 (e.g., to move the switch into the“off” position). However, the strap 68 is also sufficiently flexible asto buckle when the lever arm 64 continues in a rearward motion past theneutral or rest position shown in FIG. 1 to the position necessary toaccomplish mechanical decoupling of the drive mechanism 30 from theelongated tape 16 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This buckling resultsbecause the switch 36 has reached the “off position” but the pin 74 towhich the strap 68 is attached at the second end region 72 continues ona rotational path generally towards the drive mechanism 30.

A trailing edge 76 of the sidewall 60 of the actuator body 56 intersectswith the upper shelf 58 at a back end region of the actuator body 56.Formed at the back end region is an extension 80 that contacts an upperend 82 of the drive mechanism post 46 to impart a force on the post 46.When the lever arm 64 is moved sufficiently rearwardly, a force isapplied by the extension 80 substantially downwardly on the post 46 thatovercomes the expansion force of the spring 50 and displaces the post 46downwardly. An axle 82 of the drive wheel 42 travels within a guide 84to direct the wheel 42 away from the bottom surface 32 of the elongatetape 16 as the post 46 is moving downwardly. The position of the drivewheel 42 when the lever arm 64 is in the full rearward position is bestseen in FIG. 4, and results in the mechanical decoupling of the drivemechanism from the tape.

In operation, the tape measure 10 functions in three operating modes: arest mode, a tape extension mode and a tape retraction mode. FIG. 1depicts the tape measure 10 in the rest mode where the lever arm 64 ofthe actuator 54 is in a neutral position between forward and rearwardpositions. At this point, the strap 68 has the slider switch 36 in the“off” position, and the spring 50 urges the post 46 upwardly to maintainthe drive wheel 42 in contact with the bottom surface 32 of the elongatetape 16. Upon the user moving the lever arm 64 to the forward positionshown in FIG. 2, the strap 68 pulls the slider switch 36 to the “on”position, enabling the flow of current from the power source 34 to themotor 40 to provide torque to the drive wheel 42 and drive the tape 16out of the housing 12. Once the desired amount of tape 16 for measuringhas been payed out, the lever arm 64 is returned to the neutral positionand the strap 68 pushes the slider switch 36 to the “off” position,stopping the motor 40 and drive wheel 42 movement. The return of thelever arm 64 to the neutral position may be accomplished by the user orthe actuator 54 or the slider switch 36 may be biased to return thelever arm 64 to the neutral position upon removal of a forward force onthe lever arm 64 by the user. Upon stopping of the motor 40, the drivewheel 42 cooperates with the motor's neutral resistance to be rotatedbackwardly to hold the tape in the extended position.

To retract a desired amount of the extended tape 16 back into thehousing 12, the lever arm 64 is pulled in a direction opposite of thedirection for tape extension, i.e., rearwardly as shown in FIG. 3.Sufficient rearward movement of the lever arm 64 causes the extension 80to move the post 46 substantially in the downward direction andovercomes the upward urging provided by spring 50. Once the drive wheel42 is released from engagement with the tape bottom surface 32, thebiasing on the reel 20 causes the reel to rotate in a direction to windthe tape 16 thereon and thus retract the tape 16 into the housing 12. Ifthe lever arm 64 is released, the spring 50 urges the arm 64 back to theneutral position and the post 46 upwardly to reengage the drive wheel 42with the tape bottom surface 32. Therefore, the user can selectivelyretract some or all of the extended tape 16 back into the housing 12depending on input provided to the actuator 54. Additionally, movementof the lever arm 64 to the rearward position causes the strap 68 tobuckle, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Turning to FIGS. 5-9, another embodiment of the tape measure 100 of thepresent invention is provided. Many components of the tape measure 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are present in the embodiment of the tapemeasure 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, and therefore references to sharedcomponents between the embodiments will be abbreviated in the followingdiscussion of the tape measure 100.

The tape measure 100 includes a housing shell 102 enclosing a tapecartridge assembly 104, a drive mechanism 106, a power source 108 and apair of electrical switches 110 a and 110 b electrically coupled withthe drive mechanism 106, and an actuator 112 initiating input on theswitches 110 a and 110 b to drive powered tape extension and retraction,as well as enabling mechanical decoupling of the drive mechanism 106from the tape cartridge assembly 104. The tape measure 100 provides theadded functionality of powered tape retraction in addition to poweredtape extension through the use of forward and reverse switches 110 a and110 b and a reversible electric motor 114 of the drive mechanism 106. Itshould be understood that for the tape measure 100 embodiment of FIGS.5-9, the tape cartridge assembly 104 and the power source 108 may be thesame as the tape cartridge assembly 14 and the power source 34,respectively, of the embodiment of the tape measure 10 of FIGS. 1-4.Furthermore, as with the previous embodiment, the drive mechanism 106may also include various gears and contact rollers to transfer outputtorque from the motor 114 to a drive wheel 116 engagable with anelongate tape 118 wound onto a rotatable reel 119 of the tape cartridgeassembly 104. Within the housing shell 102, a guide roller 122 directsthe elongate tape 118 through a lower opening 120 of the shell 102during tape extension and retraction.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the actuator 112 is in a neutral or restposition, no input is provided on switches 110 a or 110 b and the drivewheel 116 is contacting a bottom surface 124 of the elongate tape 118.The drive mechanism 106 may have a housing 126 rigidly affixed withinthe housing shell 102 so that the mechanism 106 is formed as a unit. Aframe 128 to which the drive wheel 116 is rotatably mounted is coupledwith the housing 126 for pivotable movement in relation to the housing126. An upper section 130 of the frame 128 has a spring 132 connectedthereto for urging pivoting of the frame 128 and movement of the drivewheel 116 upwardly and towards the elongate tape 118. The drive wheel116 is mounted to a lower section 134 of the frame 128. Opposed ends ofthe spring 132 are connected with a bracket 136 of the drive mechanismhousing 126 and with a post 138 of the frame 128. In the neutral orforward position of the actuator 112, depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6,respectively, the actuator 112 does not contact the post 138 and thusdoes not affect the drive wheel positioning 116 relative to the elongatetape 118. The spring 132, therefore, maintains the frame 128 at aposition to ensure frictional engagement between the drive wheel 116 andthe tape bottom surface 124 for driving extension and retraction of theelongate tape 118.

The actuator 112 is similar to the actuator 54 of the tape measure 10embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, and includes a body 140 having an arcuate uppershelf 142 and at least one sidewall 144 extending downwardly from theupper shelf 142. The actuator 112 may be pivotably connected to the tapecartridge assembly 104 (or alternatively, to the housing shell 102) at alower region 146 of the sidewall 144 along an axis parallel with, oridentical to, the axis of rotation of the reel 119. Pivotable motion ofthe actuator 112 is initiated through forward and backward motion of alever arm 148 extending generally radially outward from the upper shelf142 of the actuator 112 and through an upper opening 150 of the housingshell 102.

A projecting member 152 extends outwardly from the actuator body 140generally at a back end 153 of the upper shelf 142 and is configured forcontacting the switches 110 a and 110 b through a range of pivotablemotion of the actuator 112 as directed on the lever arm 148.Additionally, the sidewall 144 has a rearward portion that is formedinto an extending leg 154 for contacting the post 138 of the frame 128supporting the drive wheel 116. In this way, when the lever arm 148 ismoved to a most rearward, as position shown in FIG. 8, the leg 154 movesthe frame 128 downwardly through the pivoting motion thereof and thedrive wheel 116 in an arcuate path away from the elongated tape 118 todisengage the drive mechanism 106 from the tape 118. With the drivemechanism 106 disengaged, the biasing on the reel 119 causes the reel119 to rotate in a direction so as to retract the tape 118 into thehousing shell 102.

A set of electrical wiring 156 connects the power source 108 with theelectrical switches 110 a and 110 b and the reversible electric motor114. By the projecting member 152 of the actuator 112 contacting theforward electrical switch 110 a, current is directed from the powersource 108 through the motor 114 in a direction so as to cause the drivewheel 116 to drive extension of the elongate tape 118 out of the housingshell 102. Conversely, contacting the rearward electrical switch 110 bdirects current from the power source 108 through the motor 114 in adirection so as to cause the drive wheel 116 to drive retraction of theelongate tape 118 back into the housing shell 102.

As can been seen in FIGS. 5-9, the tape measure 100 functions in fouroperating modes: a rest mode, a powered tape extension mode, a poweredtape retraction mode, and a non-powered tape retraction mode. In therest mode illustrated in FIG. 5, the lever arm 148 positions an apex 158of the projecting member 152 between the switches 110 a and 110 b, sothat neither switch is activated. Moving the lever arm 148 to theforward position, shown in FIG. 6, causes the projecting member apex 158to initiate input on the forward switch 110 a and activates the motor114 to drive tape extension from the housing shell 102. Likewise, movingthe lever arm 148 to a first rearward position, shown in FIG. 7, causesthe projecting member apex 158 to initiate input on the rearward switch110 b and activates the motor 114 to drive tape retraction into thehousing shell 102. At the first rearward position, the extending leg 154of the actuator 112 moves close to the pin 138, but does not displacethe frame 128, thereby leaving the drive wheel 116 still engaged withthe bottom surface 124 of the elongate tape 118. The non-powered taperetraction mode is reached when the lever arm 148 is moved rearwardlybeyond the first rearward position to a second rearward position, shownin FIG. 8. This movement positions the projecting member apex 158rearwardly of the switches 110 a and 110 b and causes the extending leg154 to overcome the upward biasing of the frame 128 by the spring 132through contacting the frame post 138 and rotating the frame 128 andattached drive wheel 116 away from the elongate tape 118. Thismechanical decoupling of the drive mechanism 106 from the tape 118allows for tape retraction through biasing on the reel 119 without theneed for motor 114 operation. For instance, a user may wish to usepowered tape retraction to more slowly and precisely retract a certainamount of tape 118 into the housing shell 102 and leave some tapeextended for making a length measurement. On the other hand, non-poweredtape retraction saves battery power by avoiding the use of the powersource 108, and may result in increased speed of tape 118 retraction ifspring biasing on the reel 119 is sufficiently strong.

Turning to FIGS. 10-13, yet another embodiment of the tape measure 200of the present invention is provided. Many components of the tapemeasure 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 are present in the embodiment ofthe tape measure 200 illustrated in FIGS. 10-13, and thereforereferences to shared components between the embodiments will beabbreviated in the following discussion of the tape measure 200.

Like the tape measure 100, the tape measure 200 includes a housing shell202 enclosing a tape cartridge assembly 204, a drive mechanism 206, apower source 208, a pair of electrical switches 210 a and 210 belectrically coupled with the drive mechanism 206, and a drive mechanismactuator 212 for initiating input on the switches 210 a and 210 b toactivate powered tape extension and retraction. However, unlike the tapemeasure 100, where the actuator 112 is also capable of enablingmechanical decoupling of the drive mechanism 106 from the tape cartridgeassembly 104, the tape measure 200 is provided with a separate manualtape retraction actuator 214 to provide the user with the ability tomechanically decouple the drive mechanism 206 from the tape cartridgeassembly 204 to permit conventional spring powered retraction of thetape. Accordingly, the tape measure 200 provides the same functionalityas the tape measure 100, namely, powered tape retraction in addition topowered tape extension, through the use of forward and reverse switches210 a and 210 b and a reversible electric motor 216 of the drivemechanism 206, and spring powered tape retraction.

As with the embodiment of the tape measure 100 of FIGS. 5-9, it shouldbe understood that the tape cartridge assembly 204 and the power source208 will be the same as the tape cartridge assembly 14 and the powersource 34 respectively of the embodiment of the tape measure 10 of FIGS.1-4. Furthermore, as with the previous embodiment, the drive mechanism206 may also include various gears and contact rollers to transferoutput torque from the motor 216 to a drive wheel 218 that is engagablewith a bottom surface 220 of an elongate tape 222 that is wound onto arotatable wheel 224 positioned within the tape cartridge assembly 204.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the drive mechanism actuator 212 is not actedon by a user, the drive mechanism actuator 212 is held in anintermediate rest position by a wire spring 226. In the rest position,the drive mechanism actuator 212 does not engage either the extensionswitch 210 a or the retraction switch 210 b. The wire spring 226 ispositioned among retention posts 228 formed on an outer surface of thetape cartridge 204.

To initiate powered tape extension, the user would move the drivemechanism actuator to 12 from the rest position of FIG. 10 to a forwardposition, illustrated in FIG. 12, by pushing a lever arm 230 of thedrive mechanism actuator 212 forward. In the forward position, a forwardface 232 of the actuator 212 depresses and thereby activates theextension switch 210 a, thereby activating the drive mechanism 206 toextend the tape 222 from the housing 202. When the actuator 212 is init's forward position, a forward arm 234 of the wire spring 226 isflexed against the lower left retention post 228 a, as illustrated inFIG. 12.

When the tape 222 has been extended a desired distance, the user removesforward pressure from the lever arm 230. In turn, the tension on theforward arm 234 of the wire spring 226 resulting from the forward armbeing flexed about the retention post 228 a biases the drive mechanismactuator 212 back to the rest position. As the forward arm 234 movesback to its unflexed position (illustrated in FIG. 10), the drivemechanism actuator 212 is returned to its rest position and theextension switch 210 a is deactivated.

Similarly, when a user desires to power retract the extended tape 222,the user pulls the lever arm 230 rearwardly, thereby moving the drivemechanism actuator 212 from its rest position of FIG. 10 to a rearwardposition illustrated in FIG. 13. In the rearward position, a rearwardface 236 of the drive mechanism actuator 212 depresses and therebyactivates the retraction switch 210 b, thereby activating the reversiblemotor 216 such that the drive mechanism 206 causes the tape 222 to berecoiled back into the cartridge 204.

When the drive mechanism actuator 212 is in the rearward position, arearward arm 238 of the wire spring 226 is flexed rearwardly about theretention post 228 b. The flexure of the rearward arm 238 biases thedrive mechanism actuator 212 back to its rest position. When theoperator has retracted a desired amount of the tape 222, the userremoves the rearward pressure on the lever arm 230. In turn, therearward arm 238 of the wire spring 226 moves the drive mechanismactuator 212 back to its rest position as the tension created by theflexure of the rearward arm 238 is released. As the drive mechanismactuator 212 returns to its rest position, the rearward face 236 ismoved out of engagement with the retraction switch 210 b and thereversible motor 216 is deactivated.

In addition to providing the user with an option of retracting the tape222 into the housing 202 via the power driven motor 216, the tapemeasure 200 also provides the user with the option of retracting thetape 222 into the housing 202 manually under conventional spring power.This is especially useful in the event that the power source 208 becomesunavailable (e.g., the batteries die). As discussed in connection withthe embodiments above, a recoil spring (not shown) positioned within thecartridge 204 biases the reel 224 to rewind any amount of the tape 222that has been withdrawn from the housing 202. The biasing caused by therecoil spring is overcome by the natural tendency of the drive mechanism206 to resist movement when the motor 216 is not activated. Accordingly,to enable the recoil spring to withdraw the extended tape 222 into thehousing 202, the drive mechanism 206 must be mechanically decoupled fromthe bottom surface 220 of the elongate tape 222. In order to facilitatesuch decoupling, the tape measure 200 is provided with the manualretraction actuator 214.

The retraction actuator 214 is biased by a spring 240 to a restposition, which is illustrated in FIG. 10. The retraction actuator 214has a user engagable tab 242 that extends through an aperture 244 in alower portion of the housing 202. The retraction actuator 214 isslidably movable in a rearward direction from the rest position,illustrated in FIG. 10, to the use position illustrated in FIG. 11. Theretraction actuator 214 includes an upwardly directed flange 246 at arearward portion thereof. The flange 246 is designed to abut adownwardly depending arm 248 that is mechanically coupled with the frame128 that supports the drive wheel 218. It should be readily understoodthat the arm 248 could be an integral part of the frame 128.

As the retraction actuator 214 is moved from its rest position in FIG.10 to its use position in FIG. 11, the retraction actuator 214 engagesthe arm 248 and further rearward movement of the actuator 214 causesrotation of the frame 128 away from the cartridge 204, thereby removingthe drive wheel 218 from abutting contact with the bottom surface 220 ofthe tape 222 coiled on the reel 224. As discussed above, this mechanicaldecoupling of the drive mechanism 206 from the tape 222 permits therecoil spring to rotate the reel 224 to retract the tape 222 into thehousing 202. When a desired amount of the tape 222 is retracted into thehousing 202, the user can release the rearward pressure on the tab 242,thereby permitting the spring 240 to pull the retraction actuator 214back to its rest position of FIG. 10. Simultaneously, the spring 132will rotate the frame 128 back to a position where the drive wheel 218engages the bottom surface 220 of the tape 222 coiled on the reel 224,thereby stopping rotation of the reel 224 and further spring poweredretraction of the tape 222 into the housing 202.

Turning now to FIG. 14, in addition to the inclusion of the guide roller34, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be provided withadditional items to support the tape 16, such as a collar 250 and awiper mechanism 252. The collar 250 may take the form of a moldedplastic piece having an aperture therethrough. The aperture ispreferably arcuate in shape to permit a lower surface of the aperture tosupport the blade 16 by abutting the bottom surface 32 of the blade 16across its entire width during operation. Similarly, the wiper mechanism252 is provided with a wiper insert 254. The insert 254 is provided withan arcuate cutout 256 adjacent an upper edge thereof for supporting,abutting, and wiping, the bottom surface 32 of the blade 16 during use.The wiper mechanism 252 also includes a frame 258 for receiving theinsert 254. The frame 258 includes a tubular member 260 which isslidably received on a pin 262 that is supported by the housing 12. Theframe 258 is thereby rotatably mounted on the pin 262. A spring 264biases the insert 254 into abutting contact with the bottom surface 32of the blade.

The insert 254 is preferably made out of a soft resilient material, suchas felt, and is provided to “wipe” the bottom surface 32 of the tape 16during use to prevent the build up of contaminants on the bottom surface32 of the tape 16 that might interfere with the ability of the drivewheel 42 to move the tape 16 and/or prevent its movement when sodesired. As it is the frictional relationship between the drive wheel 42and the bottom surface 32 of the tape 16 which permits the drivemechanism 30 to control movement of the tape, the wiper mechanism 252assists with providing a clean surface with which the drive wheel 42cooperates. Additionally, if the drive wheel 42 is rubber in nature, thewiper mechanism 252 can also “wipe off” any particles of the rubberwheel which may over time work free from the drive wheel 42 and adhereto the bottom surface 32 of the tape 16.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the various embodiments of thetape measure of the present invention provide for simple and intuitivecontrol of measuring tape extension and retraction through certainforward and backward motions on an actuator. Various modifications maybe made to the embodiments of the tape measure described herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. It will be understood thatcertain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employedwithout reference to other features and subcombinations. This iscontemplated by and is within the scope of the present invention. It isalso to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be illustrative of applications of theprinciples of the invention, and not in a limiting sense.

1. A power operated tape measure comprising: a housing shell; a tapecartridge assembly mounted within the housing shell and including: arotatable annular reel; an elongate tape wound onto the annular reel,the tape having a surface; and a spring coupled with the annular reel; adrive mechanism mounted within the housing shell and being engagablewith the surface of the tape to at least extend the tape out of thehousing shell; a power source electrically coupled with the drivemechanism; at least one switch electrically coupled with the drivemechanism to control the flow of electrical power from the power sourceto the drive mechanism; a primary actuator operably mounted within thehousing shell and having a body extending over a portion of the tapecartridge and an arm extending from the periphery of the body through afirst opening in the housing shell, wherein application of a force onthe arm moves the actuator to selectively initiate input on the at leastone switch to enable or disable drive mechanism activity, the arm beingmoveable in opposed first and second directions such that sufficient armmovement in the first direction causes the drive mechanism to extend thetape out of the housing shell and sufficient arm movement in the seconddirection causes the tape to retract into the housing shell; aretraction actuator mounted within the housing shell for selectivelyengaging with the drive mechanism and for movement relative to thehousing shell, wherein a portion of the retraction actuator is engagableby a user through a second opening in the housing shell, and whereinsufficient displacement of the retraction actuator in a first directioncauses the drive mechanism to become disengaged from the surface of thetape, whereby spring powered retraction of the tape is permitted.
 2. Thetape measure of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is a firstswitch, and wherein the tape measure further includes: a second switchelectrically coupled with the drive mechanism to control the flow ofelectrical power from the power source to the drive mechanism, whereinactivation of the first switch via sufficient movement of the arm of theprimary actuator in the first direction causes the drive mechanism toextend the tape from the housing shell, wherein activation of the secondswitch via sufficient movement of the arm of the primary actuator in thesecond direction causes the drive mechanism to rewind the tape into thehousing shell, and wherein the first and second switches are positionedon opposite sides of the lever of the actuator.
 3. The tape measure ofclaim 2, wherein the primary actuator includes a wire spring for biasingthe arm of the primary actuator to a rest position from either (a) aforward position where sufficient movement of the arm of the primaryactuator in the first direction caused activation of the first switch,or (b) a rearward position where sufficient movement of the arm of theprimary actuator in the second direction caused activation of the secondswitch.
 4. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the first opening in thehousing shell, through which the arm of the primary actuator extends,and the second opening in the housing shell, through which the portionof the retraction actuator is engagable by the user, are located onopposite sides of the housing shell from one another.
 5. The tapemeasure of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive wheel,a frame onto which the drive wheel is rotatably mounted, and a dependingarm mechanically coupled with the frame, the frame being biased in adirection so as to urge the drive wheel into engagement with the surfaceof the tape, whereby sufficient displacement of the retraction actuatorin a first direction causes drive mechanism disengagement from thesurface of the tape via the retraction actuator abutting and moving thedepending arm to overcome the biasing on the frame of the drivemechanism and disengage the drive wheel from the surface of the tape topermit spring powered retraction of the tape.
 6. The tape measure ofclaim 5, wherein the retraction actuator has a user engagable tabextending through the second opening in the housing shell and a flangefor abutting the depending arm of the drive mechanism, the retractionactuator being biased towards a rest position by a spring, and whereinthe rest position represents the position for the retraction actuatorwhere the flange is spaced from the depending arm of the drivemechanism.
 7. The tape measure of claim 1, further comprising a collarand a wiper mechanism mounted within the housing shell, the collarhaving an aperture through which the tape extends, and the wipermechanism being operative to abut and contact the surface of the tapeengaged by the drive mechanism to wipe the tape surface during at leastone of extension and retraction of the tape.
 8. A method of operating apowered tape measure including a housing shell, a tape cartridgeassembly mounted within the housing shell and having a rotatable annularreel, an elongate tape wound onto the annular reel, and a spring coupledwith the reel, a drive mechanism mounted within the housing shell forengaging with the tape to at least extend the tape out of the housingshell, a power source electrically coupled with the drive mechanism, atleast one switch for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, aprimary actuator having an outwardly extending lever and being mountedwithin the housing shell for selectively engaging with the at least oneswitch and moveable relative to the housing shell through input receivedon the lever, and a retraction actuator mounted within the housing shellfor selectively engaging with the drive mechanism and moveable relativeto the housing shell by engagement therewith though an opening in thehousing shell, comprising the steps of: moving the lever to a forwardposition to cause the at least one switch to enable the drive mechanismto extend the tape out of the housing shell; moving the lever to arearward position to cause the at least one switch to allow retractionof the tape into the housing shell; and moving the retraction actuatorto a use position to cause the drive mechanism to become disengaged fromthe tape and allow spring powered retraction of the tape into thehousing shell.